The Tides That Bind

“Hey, Jen, what’s up?” Emily cleared the paperwork from her desk.
“Is it true? Are you really going to be gone for the entire summer?” Jen came over to help, her blue eyes filled with concern.
“’Fraid so,” Emily said. “My mom needs help with Fiddler’s Green. The pub was my father’s legacy...” Her mouth went dry, and she swallowed a few times before continuing. “I need to do what I can to save it.” She filed one stack of ungraded work into a folder she would take home that evening. “But Cassie and Peter are coming, too, so it’s not all on my shoulders.”
Jen pouted. “But I was hoping to get your opinion on the latest Mr. Right.”
Emily chuckled. Jen had as many “Mr. Rights” as Cassie had jobs. “Shouldn’t there only be one man who gets that title?”
Jen shrugged and leaned back against a desk. “Okay, fine. How about ‘Mr. Right Now’?”
“Better.” Emily pursed her lips. The students were due back soon, but Jen clearly wanted to share. “Tell me about him.”
“He’s in the navy and is stationed down at PAX,” Jen said, gushing. “You know how I love a man in uniform. We’re going on our third date this weekend.”
“Sounds promising.” Emily narrowed her eyes. “But I know you, and the third date is usually the pass or fail.”
Jen’s face broke into a broad grin. “Exactly. Which is why I need my bestest friend here to overanalyze every detail.”
“There is this new invention called a cell phone.”
Jen moaned. “It’s not the same.”
“It’ll have to be enough for now.” Emily sighed. “I leave Friday right after school.”
“We could grab dinner before you go. How about tonight?”
“I can’t tonight. It’s Wednesday, which means Thai takeout and—”
“The Masked Singer,” Jen said, finishing for her. “You’re so predictable. It wouldn’t hurt you to change your routine.”
Emily gave what she hoped was a nonchalant shrug. It wasn’t the first time they’d had this conversation. “You know what they say, if it ain’t broke…”
Rolling her eyes, Jen shook her head. “With that attitude, how will you ever find your Mrs. Right?”
The sound of children’s voices and laughter floated down the hall, growing louder. Emily ducked her head to hide the flush on her cheeks, though her eyes darted toward the door, hoping no one had heard. While she didn’t hide her sexuality, it wasn’t something she openly discussed at work. Most people wouldn’t blink an eye, but she preferred to keep her private life separate from her professional one.
“Sounds like lunchtime is over. I’ll call you later,” Jen said, her blond hair bobbing as she maneuvered around the desks in Emily’s classroom and exited through the side door. Emily loved that they shared a wall. It made it easier to pop in to have a quick consult, and she couldn’t ask for a better teaching partner.

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